Functional Test Scales for Evaluating Cell-Based Therapies in Animal Models of Spinal Cord Injury

Recently, spinal cord researchers have focused on multifaceted approaches for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, as there is no cure for the deficits produced by SCI, various therapeutic strategies have been examined using animal models. Due to the lack of standardized functional as...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Woon Ryoung Kim, Minjin Kang, Heejoo Park, Hyun-Joo Ham, Hyunji Lee, Dongho Geum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/5160261
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Recently, spinal cord researchers have focused on multifaceted approaches for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, as there is no cure for the deficits produced by SCI, various therapeutic strategies have been examined using animal models. Due to the lack of standardized functional assessment tools for use in such models, it is important to choose a suitable animal model and precise behavioral test when evaluating the efficacy of potential SCI treatments. In the present review, we discuss recent evidence regarding functional recovery in various animal models of SCI, summarize the representative models currently used, evaluate recent cell-based therapeutic approaches, and aim to identify the most precise and appropriate scales for functional assessment in such research.
ISSN:1687-966X
1687-9678